Television broadcast receiving apparatus and control method therefor

ABSTRACT

To provide a television broadcast receiving apparatus capable of receiving image data of a program at a scheduled time and a control method for controlling the apparatus, the broadcast time period of a program broadcasted via a broadcast wave is acquired and stored in a storing unit. If the already-acquired broadcast time period is different from the newly-acquired broadcast time period, the already-acquired broadcast time period is managed as an originally scheduled broadcast time period. When a certain channel is tuned in, if a program whose tuning time is within the originally scheduled broadcast time period exists among programs broadcasted on the tuned channel and having originally scheduled broadcast time periods, the same program broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast time period is searched for among programs broadcasted via a network. When the same program has been found, image data of the found program is received.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a television broadcast receivingapparatus capable of receiving image data of a program via a network andto a control method for controlling the television broadcast receivingapparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In television broadcasting, owing to extension, rainout cancellation, orthe like of broadcasting of a sports program such as a live baseballbroadcast, the broadcast time periods of the subsequent programs may bechanged. In this case, in order to view a program whose broadcast timeperiod has been changed, a user may need to rearrange his or herschedule, for example. In addition, due to a change in the broadcasttime period, a failure of scheduled recording of a program, such as afailure of recording of the complete program, may occur. Thus, it isimportant to appropriately handle such a change in the broadcast timeperiod.

Two methods are available for handling a change in the broadcast timeperiod. As a first method, in a case where the broadcast time period ofa program has been changed, the same program that is broadcasted duringthe originally scheduled time period can be searched for and viewed. Tothis end, it is necessary to determine whether or not two programs arethe same.

As a technique for determining whether or not two programs are the same,a mobile broadcast transmitter/receiver that determines whether or not aprogram being broadcasted by a broadcasting station and a program beingbroadcasted by an affiliated station of the broadcasting station are thesame on the basis of program information is disclosed, for example, inJapanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-311921. In this technology, when amovable body located in a broadcasting area of a broadcasting stationenters a broadcasting area of an affiliated station of the broadcastingstation, if the same program as a program of the tuned broadcastingstation is being broadcasted by the affiliated station, the affiliatedstation is tuned in.

In addition, as a second method, a change in the broadcast time periodof a program can be predicted, so that the change in the broadcast timeperiod can be handled in advance. Regarding such a method, a programreservation device that predicts in advance a program whose broadcasttime period is more likely to be changed, by ranking programs indescending order of the number of times the broadcast time period hasbeen changed, is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-OpenNo. 2002-010149. With this device, in a case where a change in thebroadcast time period of a program is predicted, a reservation scheduleof the program is corrected so that the change can be handled.Accordingly, a failure of the reservation of the program can be avoided.

However, a user may need to view a program during the originallyscheduled time period because, for example, the user cannot arrange aviewing time different from the originally scheduled time.

According to the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2005-311921, it is determined whether or not a program being broadcastedby a broadcasting station and a program being broadcasted by anaffiliated station of the broadcasting station are the same. However, inthis technique, the point in which, in a case where the broadcast timeperiod of a program has been changed, the same program that isbroadcasted during the originally scheduled time period is searched foris not taken into consideration.

In addition, according to the technique disclosed in Japanese PatentLaid-Open No. 2002-010149, in a case where a change in the broadcasttime period of a program is predicted, the change is handled bycorrecting a reservation schedule. Thus, the program cannot be viewedduring the originally scheduled time period.

Consequently, according to the techniques described above, a user whocannot arrange a viewing time different from the originally scheduledtime cannot view a program.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a television broadcast receivingapparatus that is capable of receiving image data of a program duringthe originally scheduled time period and a control method forcontrolling the television broadcast receiving apparatus, and thusimproves user friendliness.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a televisionbroadcast receiving apparatus including a receiving unit capable ofreceiving image data of programs via a broadcast wave and a networkincludes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a broadcast timeperiod of a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave; a storingcontrol unit configured to cause a storing unit to store the broadcasttime period acquired by the acquisition unit; a determining unitconfigured to compare, in a case where the acquisition unit acquires thebroadcast time period of the program broadcasted via the broadcast wave,the broadcast time period with an already-acquired broadcast time periodof the program that has been acquired and stored in the storing unit,and to determine, in a case where the broadcast time period and thealready-acquired broadcast time period differ from each other, that thebroadcast time period of the program has been changed; a setting unitconfigured to set, as an originally scheduled broadcast time period, anoriginally scheduled broadcast time period of a program for which it isdetermined by the determining unit that the broadcast time period hasbeen changed, in the storing unit; an instructing unit configured toissue an instruction of tuning to a broadcast wave channel; a searchunit configured to search for, in a case where a program whose tuningtime is within the originally scheduled broadcast time period existsamong programs that are scheduled to be broadcasted on the channel tunedin accordance with the instruction from the instructing unit and thathave originally scheduled broadcast time periods, among programsbroadcasted via the network, the same program that is scheduled to bebroadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast time period of theprogram; and a control unit configured to control, in a case where thesame program has been found by the search unit, the receiving unit toreceive image data of the found program.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a televisionbroadcast receiving apparatus including a receiving unit capable ofreceiving image data of programs via a broadcast wave and a networkincludes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a broadcast timeperiod of a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave; a storingcontrol unit configured to cause a storing unit to store the broadcasttime period acquired by the acquisition unit; a determining unitconfigured to compare, in a case where the acquisition unit acquires thebroadcast time period of the program broadcasted via the broadcast wave,the broadcast time period with an already-acquired broadcast time periodof the program that has been acquired and stored in the storing unit,and to determine, in a case where the broadcast time period and thealready-acquired broadcast time period differ from each other, that thebroadcast time period of the program has been changed; a setting unitconfigured to set, as an originally scheduled broadcast time period, anoriginally scheduled broadcast time period of a program for which it isdetermined by the determining unit that the broadcast time period hasbeen changed, in the storing unit; a display control unit configured tocause a display unit to display an electronic program guide for programsbroadcasted via the broadcast wave; a selecting unit configured toselect a program on the electronic program guide; a search unitconfigured to search for, in a case where the program selected by theselecting unit is the program for which it is determined by thedetermining unit that the broadcast time period has been changed, amongprograms broadcasted via the network, the same program that is scheduledto be broadcasted during the same broadcast time period as theoriginally scheduled broadcast time period of the program selected bythe selecting unit; and a control unit configured to control, in a casewhere the same program has been found by the search unit, the receivingunit to receive image data of the found program.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a televisionbroadcast receiving apparatus including a receiving unit capable ofreceiving image data of programs via a broadcast wave and a networkincludes an acquisition unit configured to acquire a broadcast timeperiod of a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave; a storingcontrol unit configured to cause a storing unit to store the broadcasttime period acquired by the acquisition unit; a determining unitconfigured to compare, in a case where the acquisition unit acquires thebroadcast time period of the program broadcasted via the broadcast wave,the broadcast time period with an already-acquired broadcast time periodof the program that has been acquired and stored in the storing unit,and to determine, in a case where the broadcast time period and thealready-acquired broadcast time period differ from each other, that thebroadcast time period of the program has been changed; a setting unitconfigured to set, as an originally scheduled broadcast time period, anoriginally scheduled broadcast time period of a program for which it isdetermined by the determining unit that the broadcast time period hasbeen changed, in the storing unit; a search unit configured to searchfor, in a case where a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave forwhich a viewing reservation has been made is the program for which it isdetermined by the determining unit that the broadcast time period hasbeen changed, among programs broadcasted via the network, the sameprogram that is scheduled to be broadcasted during the same broadcasttime period as the originally scheduled broadcast time period of thereserved program stored in the storing unit, before the reserved viewingis performed; and a control unit configured to control, in a case wherethe same program has been found by the search unit, the receiving unitto receive image data of the found program.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a televisionbroadcast receiving apparatus including a receiving unit capable ofreceiving image data of programs via a broadcast wave and a network andprogram information on the programs includes a determining unitconfigured to determine whether or not a broadcast time period of aprogram broadcasted via the broadcast wave has a possibility of beingchanged, on the basis of program information on the program received bythe receiving unit; a selecting unit configured to select a programbroadcasted via the broadcast wave; a search unit configured to searchfor, in a case where the determining unit determines that the broadcasttime period of the program selected by the selecting unit has apossibility of being changed, among programs broadcasted via thenetwork, the same program whose broadcast time period has no possibilityof being changed, on the basis of the program information on the programreceived by the receiving unit; a generating unit configured togenerate, in a case where the same program has been found by the searchunit, reservation information on a viewing reservation of the foundprogram; a storing unit configured to store the reservation informationgenerated by the generating unit; and a control unit configured tocontrol the receiving unit to receive image data of the found programfor which the viewing reservation has been made, on the basis of thereservation information stored in the storing unit.

Other features and aspects of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate thesame or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a television broadcast receiving systemaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of atelevision broadcast receiving apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a channel table used in the first embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a broadcast time period change managementtable used in the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a same program list used in the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a broadcast time period change settingprocess according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a tuning process according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a tuning confirmation screen used in thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an example of channel selection screen used in the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a program search process according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a broadcast time period change settingprocess according to a modification of the first embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a tuning process according to themodification of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows an example of an electronic program guide including thelatest program schedule and the original program schedule before changesof broadcast time periods used in a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a program selecting process according tothe second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a reservation execution process accordingto a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 shows an example of a reservation candidate program list used ina fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a reservation registration processaccording to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 shows an example of a reservation program selection screen usedin the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described indetail in accordance with the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a television broadcast receiving apparatusaccording to a first embodiment is capable of receiving local televisionbroadcasts via terrestrial waves and receiving nation-wide televisionbroadcasts via Internet protocol (IP) broadcasting. Image data, audiodata, program specific information (PSI), and service information (SI)of local television broadcasts can be received via terrestrialbroadcasting. Meanwhile, image data, audio data, PSI, and SI ofnation-wide television broadcasts can be received via IP broadcasting.

In general, a program broadcasted by a television broadcasting stationin an area may also be broadcasted by a television broadcasting stationin a different area. In addition, the program schedule of televisionbroadcasts may differ depending on the area. Thus, even in a case wherethe broadcast time period of a program to be broadcasted by a televisionbroadcasting station in an area has been changed, the broadcast timeperiod of the same program to be broadcasted by a televisionbroadcasting station in a different area is not necessarily changed.

Thus, in a case where the broadcast time period of a program viaterrestrial broadcasting has been changed, the television broadcastreceiving apparatus according to the first embodiment may be capable ofreceiving image data and audio data of the same program via IPbroadcasting during the originally scheduled time period. Here, a changein the broadcast time period may be, for example, a delay in thebroadcast start time of a program due to extension of the broadcast timeperiod of a sports program or the like, an advance of the broadcaststart time of a program due to cancellation of a sports program or thelike, or cancellation of a program due to rainout or the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of thetelevision broadcast receiving apparatus according to the firstembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a televisionbroadcast receiving apparatus that is capable of being connected to anetwork is assumed as the television broadcast receiving apparatusaccording to this embodiment.

A broadcast receiver 100 receives terrestrial waves and extracts amodulation signal in a desired channel. Then, the broadcast receiver 100performs processing, such as demodulation and error correction, on theextracted signal to generate digital data in a transport stream (TS)format. Then, the broadcast receiver 100 outputs the generated TS datato a separator 102. Note that image data, audio data, and the like of aprogram are time-division multiplexed on TS data.

An IP broadcast receiver 101 acquires TS data in a moving pictureexperts group (MPEG) format stored in the payload of an IP broadcastpacket received via a connected network. Then, the IP broadcast receiver101 outputs the acquired TS data to the separator 102.

The separator 102 receives TS data from the broadcast receiver 100 andthe IP broadcast receiver 101. Then, the separator 102 acquires imagedata, audio data, and PSI and SI serving as program information from thereceived TS data. Then, the separator 102 outputs the image data to animage decoder 103, outputs the audio data to an audio decoder 105, andoutputs the PSI and SI to a PSI/SI processor 107.

PSI is constituted by a network information table (NIT) and the like.Information on a transmission channel, such as information indicating acenter frequency, is described in the NIT.

In addition, SI is constituted by an event information table (EIT), abroadcaster information table (BIT), a service description table (SDT),and the like. Information on a program, such as information indicatingthe name of the program and the broadcast time period of the program, isdescribed in the EIT. Information on a broadcaster, such as informationon the identifier for identifying the broadcaster and affiliateidentification information for identifying an affiliated station, isdescribed in the BIT. Information on a channel, such as information onthe name of the channel and the name of a broadcaster, is described inthe SDT.

The image decoder 103 decodes the image data received from the separator102. Then, the image decoder 103 outputs the decoded image data to adisplay 104, which serves as a display unit. The display 104 displays animage on the basis of the image data received from the image decoder103.

The audio decoder 105 decodes the audio data received from the separator102. Then, the audio decoder 105 outputs the decoded audio data to aspeaker 106. The speaker 106 outputs sound on the basis of the audiodata received from the audio decoder 105.

The PSI/SI processor 107 decodes the PSI and the SI received from theseparator 102. Then, the PSI/SI processor 107 outputs the decoded PSIand SI to a storing unit 108.

The storing unit 108 stores the PSI and the SI received from the PSI/SIprocessor 107. Note that in the description below, a controller 111,which will be described later, always uses the latest EIT stored in thestoring unit 108.

In addition, the storing unit 108 stores a channel table where channelidentification information, affiliate identification information,reception type information, and transmission information are associatedwith each other, as shown in FIG. 3. Information on the channel table isset under the control of the controller 111.

The channel identification information is information for identifying achannel. In this embodiment, a network identifier and a serviceidentifier are used as channel identification information. Note that anetwork identifier and a service identifier are contained in the NIT. Inaddition, the affiliate identification information is information foridentifying an affiliate of a broadcaster. The reception typeinformation is information indicating a broadcasting system (terrestrialbroadcasting or IP broadcasting). In the case of terrestrialbroadcasting, the transmission information indicates a frequency.Meanwhile, in the case of IP broadcasting, the transmission informationindicates a destination address and a destination port number of apacket to be used for IP broadcasting.

In this embodiment, the descriptor of the NIT contained in the PSI of IPbroadcasts is extended so that an address and a port number can bedescribed. In the extended NIT, a destination address and a destinationport number of a packet to be used for IP broadcasting are described.

In the description below, a “channel” of IP broadcasting represents adestination address and a destination port number of a packetmulticasted from a distribution server for IP broadcasting. In addition,“tuning” to an IP broadcast channel represents receiving a packet thatis provided with a particular destination address and a particulardestination port number and that is multicasted from a distributionserver for IP broadcasting.

In addition, the storing unit 108 stores a broadcast time period changemanagement table where program identification information, a broadcasttime period, a change flag, an originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod, terrestrial broadcast channel identification information, and anIP broadcast channel identification information list are associated witheach other, as shown in FIG. 4. Information on the broadcast time periodchange management table is set under the control of the controller 111.

The broadcast time period change management table will now be describedin detail. The program identification information is information foridentifying a program. In this embodiment, the name of a program is usedas program identification information. However, in the presentinvention, program identification information is not necessarily aprogram name. Any type of information can be used as long as a programcan be identified on the basis of the information. In addition, thebroadcast time period represents the broadcast time period of a program.In a case where broadcasting of a program is canceled, the broadcasttime period exhibits a value “NULL”.

The change flag indicates whether or not the broadcast time period of aprogram has been changed. In a case where the broadcast time period of aprogram has been changed, the change flag exhibits a value “TRUE”.Meanwhile, in a case where the broadcast time period of a program hasnot been changed, the change flag exhibits a value “FALSE”. Although thedetermination of whether or not the broadcast time period of a programhas been changed is not performed on the basis of the change flag inthis embodiment, the determination of whether or not the broadcast timeperiod of a program has been changed is performed on the basis of thechange flag in a third embodiment, which will be described later.

In a case where the broadcast time period of a program has been changed,the originally scheduled broadcast time period indicates the originallyscheduled broadcast time period. Meanwhile, in a case where thebroadcast time period of a program has not been changed, the originallyscheduled broadcast time period exhibits a value “NULL”. The terrestrialbroadcast channel identification information is channel identificationinformation on a terrestrial broadcast channel. The IP broadcast channelidentification information list is a list of channel identificationinformation on IP broadcast channels on which the same program as aterrestrial broadcast program whose broadcast time period has beenchanged is broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod. In a case where the broadcast time period of a program has notbeen changed or in a case where a corresponding IP broadcast channeldoes not exist, the IP broadcast channel identification information listexhibits a value “NULL”.

In addition, the storing unit 108 stores a same program list to be usedfor a tuning process, which will be described later. The same programlist is a list where program identification information on a programthat is the same as a terrestrial broadcast program and that isbroadcasted via IP broadcasting and channel identification informationon an IP broadcast channel on which the program is broadcasted areassociated with each other, as shown in FIG. 5.

A remote control 109 includes a tuning key, a cursor key, a set key, andan electronic program guide key. The tuning key is used for issuing atuning instruction. The cursor key is used for issuing an instruction tomove a highlighted portion on a selection screen. The set key is usedfor issuing an instruction to select one of the options highlighted onthe selection screen. The electronic program guide key is used forissuing an instruction to display an electronic program guide forterrestrial broadcasts. The remote control 109 transmits theabove-mentioned instructions to a remote control receiver 110. Theremote control receiver 110 receives an instruction from the remotecontrol 109, and transmits the received instruction to the controller111.

In the description below, a case where a user operates the televisionbroadcast receiving apparatus according to this embodiment by using theremote control 109 will be described. However, an equivalent operationcan be performed even in a case where an operation unit (notillustrated) provided in the main body of the television broadcastreceiving apparatus is operated.

The controller 111 acquires PSI and SI from the storing unit 108. Then,the controller 111 sets information in the channel table on the basisof, for example, the NIT contained in the PSI and the BIT contained inthe SI acquired from the storing unit 108. Such a setting process isperformed, for example, when the television broadcast receivingapparatus is installed. In this embodiment, information to be set in thechannel table is acquired from the NIT, the BIT, and the like, and set.However, in the present invention, information to be set in the channeltable is not necessarily acquired as described above. For example,information to be set in the channel table may be acquired from a serveroperated by a broadcaster, and set.

In addition, the controller 111 sets information in the broadcast timeperiod change management table on the basis of the PSI and SI ofterrestrial broadcasts stored in the storing unit 108. Such a broadcasttime period change setting process performed by the controller 111 willbe described later with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6.

In addition, the controller 111 receives a tuning instruction from theremote control receiver 110. When receiving a tuning instruction oftuning to a terrestrial broadcast channel, the controller 111 notifiesthe broadcast receiver 100 of channel identification information foridentifying the channel. Meanwhile, when receiving a tuning instructionof tuning to an IP broadcast channel, the controller 111 notifies the IPbroadcast receiver 101 of channel identification information foridentifying the channel.

In particular, in a case where the broadcast time period of a programbroadcasted on a terrestrial broadcast channel for which a tuninginstruction has been issued is changed, the controller 111 issues atuning instruction of tuning to an IP broadcast channel on which thesame program is scheduled to be broadcasted during the originallyscheduled broadcast time period. Such a tuning process performed by thecontroller 111 will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

In addition, the controller 111 has a display control function ofdisplaying a selection screen, an electronic program guide, and the likeon the display 104. A time manager 112 manages the current time.

The broadcast receiver 100 acquires, from the channel table,transmission information that is associated with the channelidentification information notified from the controller 111, andextracts a modulation signal of the channel based on a frequencyindicated by the transmission information. Similarly, the IP broadcastreceiver 101 acquires, from the channel table, transmission informationthat is associated with the channel identification information notifiedfrom the controller 111. Then, the IP broadcast receiver 101 is tuned into an IP broadcast channel based on an IP address and a port numberrepresented by the transmission information.

A broadcast time period change setting process for setting, in abroadcast time period change management table, information on aterrestrial broadcast program whose broadcast time period has beenchanged will now be described. The broadcast time period change settingprocess is performed by the controller 111 on the basis of the PSI andSI of terrestrial broadcasts. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing thebroadcast time period change setting process performed by the controller111. The broadcast time period change setting process is performed at atime when the television broadcast receiving apparatus acquires the SIof terrestrial broadcasts. The SI of terrestrial broadcasts is acquiredat the time of tuning and when a user is not viewing a program. Inparticular, during the time period when the user is not viewing aprogram, the television broadcast receiving apparatus is automaticallytuned in to each of all the terrestrial broadcasting stations preset inthe television broadcast receiving apparatus and acquires the SI of allthe stations.

In step S101, the controller 111 deletes an unnecessary program from thebroadcast time period change management table stored in the storing unit108. Specifically, on the basis of the current time acquired from thetime manager 112, the controller 111 deletes, from the broadcast timeperiod change management table stored in the storing unit 108,information on a program whose broadcast time period and originallyscheduled broadcast time period have ended. Note that in the broadcasttime period change management table, in the case of a program whosebroadcast time period exhibits a value “NULL”, it is determined that thebroadcast time period of the program has ended. In addition, in the caseof a program whose originally scheduled broadcast time period exhibits avalue “NULL”, it is determined that the originally scheduled broadcasttime period of the program has ended.

In step S102, the controller 111 acquires the EIT of terrestrialbroadcasts from the storing unit 108.

In step S103, the controller 111 determines whether or not a new programnot contained in the broadcast time period change management tablestored in the storing unit 108 exists in the EIT acquired in step S102.In a case where it is determined that a new program not contained in thebroadcast time period change management table exists in the EIT acquiredin step S102 (YES in step S103), the controller 111 proceeds to stepS104. Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined that a new program notcontained in the broadcast time period change management table does notexist in the EIT acquired in step S102 (NO in step S103), the controller111 proceeds to step S105.

In step S104, the controller 111 adds, to the broadcast time periodchange management table, information on the new program that isdetermined in step S103 to exist in the EIT acquired in step S102.First, the controller 111 adds, to the broadcast time period changemanagement table stored in the storing unit 108, the name of the newprogram existing in the EIT acquired in step S102 as programidentification information.

Then, the controller 111 sets the broadcast time period of the newprogram existing in the EIT acquired in step S102 in association withthe added program identification information. Then, on the basis of thePSI stored in the storing unit 108, the controller 111 sets, inassociation with the added program identification information, channelidentification information on a terrestrial broadcast channel on whichthe new program is scheduled to be broadcasted. Furthermore, thecontroller 111 sets, in association with the added programidentification information, the change flag which exhibits a value“FALSE”, the originally scheduled broadcast time period which exhibits avalue “NULL”, and an IP broadcast channel identification informationlist which exhibits a value “NULL”.

In step S105, the controller 111 selects a program from the broadcasttime period change management table.

In step S106, on the basis of the EIT acquired in step S102, thecontroller 111 determines whether or not the broadcast time period ofthe program selected in step S105 has been changed. Specifically, in acase where condition (1) or (2) is met, the controller 111 determinesthat the broadcast time period of the program selected in step S105 hasbeen changed.

Condition (1): A case where the EIT of the program selected in step S105exists in the EIT acquired in step S102 and the broadcast time period ofthe program existing in the EIT is different from the broadcast timeperiod associated with program identification information foridentifying the program in the broadcast time period change managementtable. Here, the broadcast time period of the program described in thebroadcast time period change management table has already been acquiredbefore the acquisition of the EIT. This case may occur, for example,when the start of broadcasting of the program selected in step S105 isdelayed due to extension of the broadcast time period of a sportsprogram or the like or when the start of broadcasting is advanced due tocancellation of a sports program or the like.

Condition (2): A case where the EIT of the program selected in step S105does not exist in the EIT acquired in step S102. This case may occur,for example, when broadcasting of the program selected in step S105 iscanceled.

In a case where neither condition (1) nor (2) is met, the controller 111determines that the broadcast time period of the program selected instep S105 has not been changed. In a case where it is determined thatthe broadcast time period of the program selected in step S105 has beenchanged (YES in step S106), the controller 111 proceeds to step S107. Ina case where it is determined that the broadcast time period of theprogram selected in step S105 has not been changed (NO in step S106),the controller 111 proceeds to step S109.

In step S107, the controller 111 updates the value of the change flagthat is associated with the program identification information foridentifying the program selected step S105 in the broadcast time periodchange management table to “TRUE”.

In step S108, the controller 111 acquires, from the broadcast timeperiod change management table, the broadcast time period that isassociated with the program identification information for identifyingthe program selected in step S105. Then, the controller 111 updates, tothe acquired broadcast time period, the originally scheduled broadcasttime period that is associated with the program identificationinformation for identifying the selected program in the broadcast timeperiod change management table.

In addition, in a case where the EIT of the program selected in stepS105 exists in the EIT acquired in step S102, the controller 111acquires the broadcast time period of the selected program from the EIT.Then, the controller 111 updates, to the acquired broadcast time period,the broadcast time period that is associated with the programidentification information for identifying the selected program in thebroadcast time period change management table. Meanwhile, in a casewhere the EIT of the selected program does not exist in the EIT acquiredin step S102, the controller 111 updates, to “NULL”, the value of thebroadcast time period that is associated with the program identificationinformation for identifying the selected program in the broadcast timeperiod change management table.

In step S109, the controller 111 determines whether or not all theprograms in the broadcast time period change management table have beenselected in step S105. In a case where all the programs have not beenselected (NO in step S109), the controller 111 returns to step S105 andcontinues to perform the process by selecting a new program from thebroadcast time period change management table. Meanwhile, in a casewhere all the programs in the broadcast time period change managementtable have been selected (YES in step S109), the controller 111 ends theprocess.

Note that in the broadcast time period change setting process in thisembodiment, information is set in the broadcast time period changemanagement table on the basis of PSI and SI acquired via terrestrialbroadcasting. However, such information is not necessarily set asdescribed above. For example, such information may be acquired from aserver on the Internet operated by a broadcaster, and the acquiredinformation may be set in the broadcast time period change managementtable.

A tuning process for tuning to an IP broadcast channel on which the sameprogram as a terrestrial broadcast program whose broadcast time periodhas been changed is broadcasted during the originally scheduledbroadcast time period will now be described. The tuning process isperformed by the controller 111. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing thetuning process performed by the controller 111.

In step S201, the controller 111 determines whether or not a tuninginstruction of tuning to a terrestrial broadcast channel has beenreceived from the remote control receiver 110. In a case where it isdetermined that a tuning instruction has been received (YES in stepS201), the controller 111 proceeds to step S202. In a case where it isdetermined that a tuning instruction has not been received (NO in stepS201), the controller 111 returns to step S201.

In step S202, the controller 111 searches for a program whose broadcasttime period has been changed and that is scheduled to be broadcasted atthe time of reception of the tuning instruction in step S201 on thebasis of the original program schedule before the change of thebroadcast time period. The processing performed by the controller 111 instep S202 will be described below.

First, the controller 111 extracts only programs to be broadcasted onthe channel based on the tuning instruction received in step S201 fromamong programs included in a broadcast time period change managementtable, and creates a broadcast time period change management table onlyincluding the extracted programs. Specifically, the controller 111creates, from a broadcast time period change management table, abroadcast time period change management table only including extractedprograms indicated by terrestrial broadcast channel identificationinformation that is the same as the channel identification informationfor identifying the channel based on the tuning instruction.

Then, the controller 111 searches for, among the programs in the createdbroadcast time period change management table, a program whose broadcasttime period has been changed and that is scheduled to be broadcasted atthe time of reception of the tuning instruction on the basis of theoriginal program schedule before the change of the broadcast timeperiod. Specifically, the controller 111 searches the created broadcasttime period change management table for a program whose originallyscheduled broadcast time period includes the time of reception of thetuning instruction. Note that in a case where the originally scheduledbroadcast time exhibits a value “NULL”, the time of reception of thetuning instruction is not included.

In step S203, the controller 111 determines whether or not a program hasbeen found in step S202. In a case where a program has been found instep S202 (YES in step S203), the controller 111 proceeds to step S204.Meanwhile, in a case where a program has not been found in step S202 (NOin step S203), the controller 111 proceeds to step S213.

In step S204, the controller 111 performs a program search process forsearching for the same program as the program found in step S202 fromamong IP broadcast programs. In the program search process, thecontroller 111 adds information on the same program to the same programlist. The program search process will be described later with referenceto a flowchart shown in FIG. 10.

In step S205, the controller 111 determines whether or not the sameprogram has been found in step S204. In a case where the same programhas been found in step S204 (YES in step S205), the controller 111proceeds to step S206. Meanwhile, in a case where the same program hasnot been found in step S204 (NO in step S205), the controller 111proceeds to step S213.

In step S206, the controller 111 selects a program from the same programlist.

In step S207, the controller 111 determines whether or not the programselected in step S206 is scheduled to be broadcasted during the samebroadcast time period as the originally scheduled broadcast time periodof the program found in step S202. Specifically, the controller 111acquires the broadcast time period of the program selected in step S206from the EIT of IP broadcasts stored in the storing unit 108. Thecontroller 111 also acquires, from the broadcast time period changemanagement table, the originally scheduled broadcast time periodassociated with program identification information for identifying theprogram found in step S202.

Then, by comparing the broadcast time period with the originallyscheduled broadcast time period, the controller 111 determines whetheror not the program selected in step S206 is broadcasted during the samebroadcast time period as the originally scheduled broadcast time periodof the program found in step in S202. In a case where it is determinedthat the program selected in step S206 is broadcasted during the samebroadcast time period as the originally scheduled broadcast time periodof the program found in step S202 (YES in step S207), the controller 111proceeds to step S208. Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined thatthe selected program is not broadcasted during the same broadcast timeperiod as the originally scheduled broadcast time period (NO in stepS207), the controller 111 proceeds to step S209.

In step S208, the controller 111 adds, to the IP broadcast channelidentification information list associated with the program found instep S202, channel identification information on the IP broadcastchannel on which the program selected in step S206 is broadcasted.Specifically, the controller 111 acquires, from the same program list,the channel identification information on the IP broadcast channel onwhich the program selected in step S206 is broadcasted. Then, thecontroller 111 adds the acquired channel identification information tothe IP broadcast channel identification information list associated withthe program identification information for identifying the program foundin step S202 in the broadcast time period change management table.

In step S209, the controller 111 determines whether or not all theprograms in the same program list have been selected in step S206. In acase where all the programs have not been selected (NO in step S209),the controller 111 returns to step S206 and continues to perform theprocess by selecting a new program from the same program list.Meanwhile, in a case where all the programs have been selected (YES instep S209), the controller 111 proceeds to step S210.

In step S210, the controller 111 displays a tuning confirmation screenon the display 104, as shown in FIG. 8, and determines whether or notthe IP broadcast channel on which the same program as the program foundin step S202 is broadcasted during the same broadcast time period as theoriginally scheduled broadcast time period of the program found in stepS202 is to be tuned in. In a case where a user has selected “YES” on aviewing selection screen by using the remote control 109 (YES in stepS210), the controller 111 proceeds to step S211. Meanwhile, in a casewhere the user has selected “NO” on the viewing selection screen (NO instep S210), the controller 111 proceeds to step S213.

In step S211, the controller 111 displays a channel selection screen onthe display 104, as shown in FIG. 9, and determines whether or not achannel to be tuned in has been selected on the channel selectionscreen. The controller 111 displays the channel selection screen on thebasis of the IP broadcast channel identification information listassociated with the program identification information for identifyingthe program found in step S202 in the broadcast time period changemanagement table. The “selected channel” is an IP broadcast channel onwhich the same program as the program found in step S202 is broadcastedduring the same broadcast time period as the originally scheduledbroadcast time period of the program found in step S202.

Referring to FIG. 9, selection buttons 201 and 202 for selecting achannel to be tuned in are displayed on the channel selection screen.The user selects a channel to be tuned in by selecting the selectionbutton 201 or 202 by using the cursor key of the remote control 109 andthen pressing the set key to determine the selected selection button 201or 202. In a case where a channel to be tuned in has been selected onthe channel selection screen (YES in step S211), the controller 111proceeds to step S212. Meanwhile, in a case where a channel to be tunedin has not been selected on the channel selection screen (NO in stepS211), the controller 111 returns to step S211.

In step S212, the controller 111 acquires, from the broadcast timeperiod change management table, channel identification information onthe IP broadcast channel selected in step S211, and notifies the IPbroadcast receiver 101 of the acquired channel identificationinformation. The IP broadcast receiver 101 is tuned in to the IPbroadcast channel identified by the channel identification informationnotified from the controller 111.

In step S213, the controller 111 notifies the broadcast receiver 100 ofthe channel identification information on the channel for which thetuning instruction has been issued in step S201. The broadcast receiver100 is tuned in to the channel identified by the channel identificationinformation notified from the controller 111.

A program search process for searching for, among IP broadcast programs,the same program as a target program will now be described. The programsearch process is performed by the controller 111 in step S204 of theflowchart shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 10 shows the flowchart showing theprogram search process.

Note that at the start of the program search process, the controller 111deletes information on all the programs managed in the same programlist. In addition, in this embodiment, the target program is the programfound in step S202.

In step S301, the controller 111 acquires affiliate identificationinformation on a channel on which the target program is broadcasted.Specifically, the controller 111 acquires, from the broadcast timeperiod change management table stored in the storing unit 108,terrestrial broadcast channel identification information associated withprogram identification information for identifying the target program.Then, the controller 111 acquires, from the channel table stored in thestoring unit 108, affiliate identification information associated withthe acquired terrestrial broadcast channel identification information.

In step S302, the controller 111 extracts, from the channel table, onlyIP broadcast channels having affiliate identification information thatis the same as the affiliate identification information acquired in stepS301, and creates a channel table only including the extracted channels.

In step S303, the controller 111 selects a channel by referring to thechannel table created in step S302.

In step S304, the controller 111 acquires the EIT of the channelselected in step S303 from the storing unit 108. The televisionbroadcast receiving apparatus according to this embodiment is capable ofacquiring the EIT of an IP broadcast channel by tuning to the channel.Thus, the controller 111 acquires the channel identification informationfor identifying the channel selected in step S303 from the channel tablecreated in step S302, and notifies the IP broadcast receiver 101 of theacquired channel identification information. Then, the IP broadcastreceiver 101 performs a tuning operation on the basis of the channelidentification information notified from the controller 111.

In step S305, the controller 111 searches for, among programsbroadcasted on the channel selected in step S303, the same program asthe target program. Specifically, the controller 111 searches for, amongprograms broadcasted on the channel selected in step S303, a programhaving the same name as the program name represented as the programidentification information on the target program, by referring toprogram names included in the EIT acquired in step S304.

Note that in this embodiment, since a program name is used as programidentification information, the same program as the target program issearched for by using the program name. However, information to be usedfor searching is not necessarily limited to a program name. Any type ofinformation may be used as long as a program can be identified by theinformation.

In step S306, the controller 111 determines whether or not the sameprogram as the target program has been found in step S305. In a casewhere the same program as the target program has been found (YES in stepS306), the controller 111 proceeds to step S307. Meanwhile, in a casewhere the same program as the target program has not been found (NO instep S306), the controller 111 proceeds to step S308.

In step S307, the controller 111 adds, to the same program list, theprogram that is the same as the target program and that is broadcastedon the channel selected in step S303. Specifically, the controller 111acquires the program name of the same program from the EIT acquired instep S304, and adds, as program identification information, the acquiredprogram name to the same program list. Then, the controller 111 acquireschannel identification information on the channel selected in step S303from the channel table created in step S302, and sets the acquiredchannel identification information in association with the added programidentification information.

In step S308, the controller 111 determines whether or not all thechannels included in the channel table created in step S302 have beenselected in step S303. In a case where all the channels have not beenselected (NO in step S308), the controller 111 returns to step S303 andcontinues to perform the process by selecting a new channel from thechannel table. Meanwhile, in a case where all the channels have beenselected (YES in step S308), the controller 111 ends the process.

As described above, the television broadcast receiving apparatusaccording to this embodiment is capable of receiving, even in a casewhere the broadcast time period of a terrestrial broadcast program hasbeen changed, image data and audio data of an IP broadcast program thatis the same as the terrestrial broadcast program and that is broadcastedduring the originally scheduled broadcast time period. Thus, with thetelevision broadcast receiving apparatus according to this embodiment, auser who needs to view a program during the originally scheduled timeperiod because, for example, the user cannot arrange a viewing timedifferent from the originally scheduled time is able to view the programduring the originally scheduled time period. Thus, user friendliness canbe improved.

Note that although local television broadcasts are provided viaterrestrial waves in this embodiment, the local television broadcastsare not necessarily provided via terrestrial waves. Any other broadcastwaves may be employed as long as local television broadcasts can beprovided.

In addition, although nation-wide television broadcasts are provided viaIP broadcasting in this embodiment, nation-wide broadcasts are notnecessarily provided via IP broadcasting. Any other types ofbroadcasting, such as cable television broadcasting, may be employed aslong as nation-wide television broadcasts can be provided via a network.

In the first embodiment, in the tuning process shown in FIG. 7, thecontroller 111 performs a process for searching for, among IP broadcastprograms, a program that is the same as a terrestrial broadcast programwhose broadcast time period has been changed and that is broadcastedduring the originally scheduled broadcast time period. However, in acase where the search process requires a long processing time, a longtime is necessary for tuning and the response characteristics of thetelevision broadcast receiving apparatus are thus degraded.Consequently, user friendliness may be degraded. In view of the above,in this modification, the controller 111 performs the search process inthe broadcast time period change setting process.

In a case where this modification is applied to the flowchart shown inFIG. 6, the process is performed in accordance with a flowchart shown inFIG. 11.

Since processing of steps S401 to S408 is similar to the processing ofsteps S101 to S108 shown in FIG. 6, the description of the processing ofsteps S401 to S408 will be omitted.

In step S409, the controller 111 performs a program search process forsearching for, among IP broadcast programs, the same program as theprogram selected in step S405. The program search process is similar tothe process represented by the flowchart shown in FIG. 10. However, aprogram to be searched for in this program search process is the sameprogram as the program selected in step S405.

Since processing of steps S410 to S412 is similar to the processing ofsteps S205 to S207 shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing ofsteps S410 to S412 will be omitted.

In step S413, the controller 111 adds, to the IP broadcast channelidentification information list associated with the program selected instep S405, channel identification information on the IP broadcastchannel on which the program selected in step S411 is broadcasted.Specifically, the controller 111 acquires, from the same program list,the channel identification information on the IP broadcast channel onwhich the program selected in step S411 is broadcasted. Then, thecontroller 111 adds the acquired channel identification information tothe IP broadcast channel identification information list associated withthe program identification information for identifying the programselected in step S405 in the broadcast time period change managementtable.

Since processing of step S414 is similar to the processing of step S209shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing of step S414 will beomitted.

In addition, since processing of step S415 is similar to the processingof step S109 shown in FIG. 6, the description of the processing of stepS415 will be omitted.

Then, in a case where this modification is applied to the flowchartshown in FIG. 7, the process is performed in accordance with a flowchartshown in FIG. 12.

Since processing of steps S501 to S503 is similar to the processing ofsteps S201 to S203 shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing ofsteps S501 to S503 will be omitted.

In step S504, the controller 111 determines whether or not an IPbroadcast program that is the same as the program found in step S502 andthat is scheduled to be broadcasted during the originally scheduledbroadcast time period exists. Specifically, the controller 111 acquires,from the broadcast time period change management table, an IP broadcastchannel identification information list associated with programidentification information for identifying the program found in stepS502.

In a case where the value of the acquired IP broadcast channelidentification information list is not “NULL”, the controller 111determines that an IP broadcast program that is the same as the programfound in step S502 and that is broadcasted during the originallyscheduled broadcast time period exists. Meanwhile, in a case where thevalue of the acquired IP broadcast channel identification informationlist is “NULL”, the controller 111 determines that a corresponding IPbroadcast program does not exist. In a case where it is determined thata corresponding IP broadcast program exists (YES in step S504), thecontroller 111 proceeds to step S505. Meanwhile, in a case where it isdetermined that a corresponding IP broadcast program does not exist (NOin step S504), the controller 111 proceeds to step S507.

Since processing of steps S505 to S508 is similar to the processing ofsteps S210 to S213 shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing ofsteps S505 to S508 will be omitted.

As described above, according to this modification, in the tuningprocess, compared with a case where an IP broadcast program that is thesame as a terrestrial broadcast program whose broadcast time period hasbeen changed and that is scheduled to be broadcasted during theoriginally scheduled broadcast time period is searched for, a short timeis required for tuning. Thus, user friendliness can be improved.

In a second embodiment, a method for, in a case where the broadcast timeperiod of a program selected on an electronic program guide forterrestrial broadcasts has been changed, receiving image data and audiodata of an IP broadcast program that is the same as the selected programand that is broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod will be described.

The controller 111 of a television broadcast receiving apparatusaccording to the second embodiment has features different from those ofthe controller 111 according to the modification of the firstembodiment. Only differences between the second embodiment and themodification of the first embodiment will be described.

When receiving an instruction to display an electronic program guide forterrestrial broadcasts from the remote control receiver 110, thecontroller 111 displays the electronic program guide on the display 104on the basis of the SI of terrestrial broadcasts and the broadcast timeperiod change management table stored in the storing unit 108. Inparticular, in a case where a program whose broadcast time period hasbeen changed exists among programs displayed in the electronic programguide, the controller 111 displays an electronic program guide forterrestrial broadcasts including information on a program based on thelatest program schedule and information on a program based on theoriginal program schedule before the change of the broadcast timeperiod, as shown in FIG. 13.

In a case where a program has been selected on the electronic programguide for terrestrial broadcasts, the controller 111 instructs thebroadcast receiver 100 or the IP broadcast receiver 101 to be tuned into a channel on which the program is broadcasted. In particular, in acase where a program based on the original program schedule before achange of the broadcast time period has been selected on the electronicprogram guide, the controller 111 instructs the IP broadcast receiver101 to be tuned in to an IP broadcast channel on which the same programas the selected program is broadcasted during the originally scheduledbroadcast time period. Such a program selecting process will bedescribed later with reference to FIG. 14.

The electronic program guide for terrestrial broadcasts includinginformation on a program based on the latest program schedule andinformation on a program based on the original program schedule beforechanges of broadcast time periods will be described with reference toFIG. 13. The electronic program guide shown in FIG. 13 includes adisplay area 301 in which programs broadcasted on a channel of “AA TV”are displayed and a display area 302 in which programs broadcasted on achannel of “TV BB” are displayed.

Referring to the electronic program guide shown in FIG. 13, since thebroadcast time period of a professional baseball live programbroadcasted on the channel of TV BB is extended, the broadcast timeperiods of the professional baseball live program and the subsequentprograms are changed. Thus, the display area 302 in which programsbroadcasted on the channel of “TV BB” includes a display area portion303 in which programs based on the original program schedule before thechanges of the broadcast time periods are displayed and a display areaportion 304 in which programs based on the latest program schedule aredisplayed. Meanwhile, since the broadcast time periods of programsbroadcasted on the channel of “AA TV” are not changed, only programsbased on the latest program schedule of the channel of “AA TV” aredisplayed in the display area 301.

In addition, each of the display area 301, the display area portion 303,and the display area portion 304 includes at least one or more cellsdefined by time periods. In cells of the display area 301, the names ofprograms broadcasted on the channel of “AA TV” during time periodsdefined by the cells are displayed. For example, since a program “NEWS10” is broadcasted during a time period from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. onthe channel of “AA TV”, the program name “NEWS 10” is displayed in acell 305 in FIG. 13.

Note that the controller 111 displays cells in the display area 301 onthe basis of the SI of terrestrial broadcasts stored in the storing unit108.

In cells of the display area portion 304, the names of programsbroadcasted on the channel of “TV BB” during time periods defined by thecells are displayed on the basis of the latest program schedule. Forexample, since a program “PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LIVE AA VS BB” isscheduled to be broadcasted during a time period from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00p.m. on the channel of “TV BB” on the basis of the latest programschedule, the program name “PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL LIVE AA VS BB” isdisplayed in a cell 306 in FIG. 13.

Note that the controller 111 displays cells in the display area portion304 on the basis of the SI of terrestrial broadcasts stored in thestoring unit 108.

Meanwhile, in cells of the display area portion 303, the names and thelike of programs broadcasted on the channel of “TV BB” during timeperiods defined by the cells are displayed on the basis of the originalprogram schedule before the changes of the broadcast time periods. Inparticular, in a case where an IP broadcast channel on which the sameprogram is broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod exists, the name of a broadcaster of the channel as well as theprogram name is displayed in a cell of the display area portion 303. Ina case where an IP broadcast channel on which the same program isbroadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast time period doesnot exist, a corresponding cell in the display area portion 303 isdisplayed in gray so that the cell cannot be selected.

For example, referring to FIG. 13, a program “CC VARIETY SHOW” isscheduled to be broadcasted during a time period from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00p.m. on the channel of “TV BB” on the basis of the original programschedule before a change of the broadcast time period. In addition,broadcasters “BB Broadcasting” and “TV CC” for IP broadcast channels arescheduled to broadcast “CC VARIETY SHOW” during the originally scheduledbroadcast time period. Thus, in addition to the program name “CC VARIETYSHOW”, the broadcaster names “BB BROADCASTING” and “TV CC” are displayedin a cell 307.

However, in FIG. 13, although the program “DRAMA DD” is scheduled to bebroadcasted during a time period from 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on thechannel of “TV BB” on the basis of the original program schedule beforea change of the broadcast time period, no IP broadcast channel exists onwhich “DRAMA DD” is scheduled to be broadcasted during the originallyscheduled broadcast time period. Thus, the program name “DRAMA DD” isdisplayed in gray in a cell 308 so that the cell 308 cannot be selected.

Note that the controller 111 displays cells in the display area portion303 on the basis of the broadcast time period change management tablestored in the storing unit 108. More specifically, the controller 111acquires, from the broadcast time period change management table,information on a program that is broadcasted on the channel of “TV BB”and whose originally scheduled broadcast time period corresponds to atime period displayed in the electronic program guide, and displays acorresponding cell in the display area portion 303.

Note that in this embodiment, a program which is based on the originalprogram schedule on the electronic program guide and whose broadcasttime period is not changed is also displayed in gray so that the programcannot be selected.

A program selecting process for receiving, in a case where a programbased on the original program schedule before changes of broadcast timeperiods is selected on an electronic program guide, image data and audiodata of an IP broadcast program that is the same as the selected programand that is broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod will now be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the programselecting process. The program selecting process is performed by thecontroller 111 while an electronic program guide for terrestrialbroadcasts is displayed.

In step S601, the controller 111 determines whether or not a program hasbeen selected on an electronic program guide for terrestrial broadcasts.Specifically, in a case where a highlight moving instruction has beenreceived from the remote control receiver 110 during the display of theelectronic program guide, the controller 111 moves a highlighted portionon the electronic program guide on the basis of the instruction. Then,in a case where a selecting instruction has been received from theremote control receiver 110, the controller 111 determines that thehighlighted program on the electronic program guide has been selected.In a case where it is determined that a program has been selected (YESin step S601), the controller 111 proceeds to step S602. Meanwhile, in acase where it is determined that no program has been selected (NO instep S601), the controller 111 returns to step S601.

In step S602, the controller 111 determines whether or not the programselected in step S601 is based on the original program schedule beforechanges of broadcast time periods. In a case where it is determined thatthe selected program is based on the original program schedule (YES instep S602), the controller 111 proceeds to step S603. Meanwhile, in acase where it is determined that the selected program is not based onthe original program schedule (NO in step S602), the controller 111proceeds to step S605.

Since processing of step S603 is similar to the processing of step S211shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing of step S603 will beomitted. However, in this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, thecontroller 111 displays a channel selection screen on the basis of an IPbroadcast channel identification information list associated withprogram identification information for identifying the program selectedin step S601.

In step S604, the controller 111 notifies the IP broadcast receiver 101of channel identification information on the IP broadcast channelselected in step S603. Then, the IP broadcast receiver 101 is tuned into the IP broadcast channel identified by the channel identificationinformation notified from the controller 111.

In step S605, the controller 111 notifies the broadcast receiver 100 ofchannel identification information on a terrestrial broadcast channel onwhich the program selected in step S601 is broadcasted. Then, thebroadcast receiver 100 is tuned in to the terrestrial broadcast channelidentified by the channel identification information notified from thecontroller 111.

As described above, the television broadcast receiving apparatusaccording to this embodiment is capable of receiving, in a case wherethe broadcast time period of a program selected on an electronic programguide for terrestrial broadcasts has been changed, image data and audiodata of an IP broadcast program that is the same as the selected programand that is broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod. Thus, with the television broadcast receiving apparatusaccording to this embodiment, a user who needs to view a program duringthe originally scheduled time period because, for example, the usercannot arrange a viewing time different from the originally scheduledtime is able to view the program during the originally scheduled timeperiod. Thus, user friendliness can be improved.

In this embodiment, before displaying an electronic program guide forterrestrial broadcasts, the controller 111 searches for, in advanceamong IP broadcast programs, a program that is the same as a terrestrialbroadcast program whose broadcast time period has been changed and thatis broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast time period ofthe terrestrial broadcast program. However, the present invention is notlimited to this. For example, in a case where a program whose broadcasttime period has been changed is selected on an electronic program guidefor terrestrial broadcasts, the controller 111 may search for, among IPbroadcast programs, a program that is the same as the selected programand that is broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod of the selected program. In this case, first, the controller 111performs the processing of steps S204 to S209 shown in FIG. 7, and thensearches for, among IP broadcast programs, a program that is the same asthe selected program. However, the program search process performed instep S204 is performed for a program that is selected on an electronicprogram guide for terrestrial broadcasts and whose broadcast time periodhas been changed.

Then, the controller 111 displays the channel selection screen shown inFIG. 9 for found IP broadcast channels on which the same IP broadcastprogram is broadcasted, and notifies the IP broadcast receiver 101 ofchannel identification information on a channel selected on the screen.

In a third embodiment, a method for receiving, even in a case where thebroadcast time period of a terrestrial broadcast program for which areservation has been made is changed, image data and audio data of an IPbroadcast program that is the same as the program for which thereservation has been made and that is broadcasted during the originallyscheduled broadcast time period, at the reserved viewing time will bedescribed.

The storing unit 108 and the controller 111 of a television broadcastreceiving apparatus according to the third embodiment have featuresdifferent from those of the storing unit 108 and the controller 111according to the first embodiment. Only differences between the thirdembodiment and the first embodiment will be described below.

The storing unit 108 stores reservation information on viewingreservation. The reservation information includes information onreservation of a program, such as program identification information ona reserved program, channel identification information on a reservedchannel, and the broadcast time period of the reserved program.

The controller 111 generates reservation information on a reservedprogram on the basis of PSI and SI stored in the storing unit 108. Then,the controller 111 causes the storing unit 108 to store the generatedreservation information.

In addition, on the basis of the reservation information stored in thestoring unit 108 and the current time acquired from the time manager112, the controller 111 instructs the broadcast receiver 100 or the IPbroadcast receiver 101 to be tuned in to a reserved channel on which thereserved program is scheduled to be broadcasted at the reserved time.Here, the reserved time represents the broadcast start time at which thereserved program starts. In particular, in a case where the broadcasttime period of a reserved program is changed, a certain period of timebefore the reserved time, the controller 111 searches for, among IPbroadcast programs, a program that is the same as the reserved programand that is scheduled to be broadcasted during the originally scheduledbroadcast time period. Then, the controller 111 generates reservationinformation on the found IP broadcast program on the basis of the PSIand SI stored in the storing unit 108, and updates the reservationinformation stored in the storing unit 108. Such a reservation executionprocess will be described later with reference to a flowchart shown inFIG. 15.

A reservation execution process for receiving, in a case where thebroadcast time period of a reserved terrestrial broadcast program hasbeen changed, image data and audio data of an IP broadcast program thatis the same as the reserved terrestrial broadcast program and that isscheduled to be broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcasttime period, at the reserved viewing time, will now be described. Thereservation execution process is performed by the controller 111. FIG.15 is a flowchart showing the reservation execution process. Thereservation execution process starts a certain period of time before areserved time. Although the reservation execution process starts oneminute before the reserved time in this embodiment, the presentinvention is not limited to this.

In step S701, the controller 111 determines, on the basis of thebroadcast time period change management table, whether or not thebroadcast time period of a reserved terrestrial broadcast program hasbeen changed. Specifically, in a case where a change flag associatedwith program identification information for identifying the reservedprogram exhibits “TRUE” in the broadcast time period change managementtable, the controller 111 determines that the broadcast time period ofthe reserved program has been changed.

Meanwhile, in a case where the change flag associated with the programidentification information exhibits “FALSE” in the broadcast time periodchange management table, the controller 111 determines that thebroadcast time period of the reserved time has not been changed. In acase where it is determined that the broadcast time period of thereserved terrestrial broadcast program has been changed (YES in stepS701), the controller 111 proceeds to step S702. Meanwhile, in a casewhere it is determined that the broadcast time period of the reservedterrestrial broadcast program has not been changed (NO in step S701),the controller 111 proceeds to step S707.

In step S702, the controller 111 performs a program search process forsearching for, among IP broadcast programs, the same program as thereserved program. The program search process is similar to the processrepresented by the flowchart shown in FIG. 10. However, a program to besearched for in this program search process is the same program as thereserved program.

Since processing of steps S703 to S705 is similar to the processing ofsteps S205 to S207 shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing ofsteps S703 to S705 will be omitted.

In step S706, on the basis of the PSI and SI of IP broadcasts stored inthe storing unit 108, the controller 111 generates reservationinformation on the program selected in step S704, and updates thereservation information stored in the storing unit 108.

In step S707, the controller 111 determines, on the basis of thebroadcast time period of the reserved program included in thereservation information, whether or not the current time acquired fromthe time manager 112 is the reserved time. In a case where it isdetermined that the current time is the reserved time (YES in stepS707), the controller 111 proceeds to step S708. Meanwhile, in a casewhere it is determined that the current time is not the reserved time(NO in step S707), the controller 111 returns to step S707.

In step S708, the controller 111 notifies the broadcast receiver 100 orthe IP broadcast receiver 101 of channel identification information onthe reserved channel on the basis of the reservation information storedin the storing unit 108. Specifically, in a case where reception typeinformation associated with the channel identification information onthe reserved channel in the channel table stored in the storing unit 108indicates terrestrial broadcasting, the controller 111 notifies thebroadcast receiver 100 of the channel identification information.

Meanwhile, in a case where the reception type information indicates IPbroadcasting, the controller 111 notifies the IP broadcast receiver 101of the channel identification information. The broadcast receiver 100 orthe IP broadcast receiver 101 is tuned in to the channel identified bythe channel identification information notified from the controller 111.

As described above, the television broadcast receiving apparatusaccording to this embodiment is capable of receiving, even in a casewhere the broadcast time period of a reserved terrestrial broadcastprogram has been changed, image data and audio data of an IP broadcastprogram that is the same as the reserved program and that is scheduledto be broadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast time period,at the reserved viewing time. Thus, with the television broadcastreceiving apparatus according to this embodiment, a user who needs toview a program during the originally scheduled time period because, forexample, the user cannot arrange a viewing time different from theoriginally scheduled time is able to view the program during theoriginally scheduled time period, without making a new viewingreservation. Thus, user friendliness can be improved.

In a fourth embodiment, a method for searching for a program whosebroadcast time period has no possibility of being changed andregistering a viewing reservation of the found program, at the time ofregistration of a viewing reservation, will be described.

The storing unit 108 and the controller 111 of a television broadcastreceiving apparatus according to the fourth embodiment have featuresdifferent from those of the storing unit 108 and the controller 111 inthe third embodiment. Only differences between the fourth embodiment andthe third embodiment will be described below.

The storing unit 108 stores a reservation candidate program list that isused in the reservation registration process described later. Thereservation candidate program list is a list of IP broadcast programswhich are the same as a terrestrial broadcast program and whosebroadcast time periods have no possibility of being changed.Specifically, in the reservation candidate program list, programidentification information on a program, the broadcast time period ofthe program, and channel identification information on an IP broadcastchannel on which the program is broadcasted are associated with eachother, as shown in FIG. 16.

The controller 111 generates reservation information on a programselected by a user by using the remote control 109 on an electronicprogram guide for terrestrial broadcasts, and causes the storing unit108 to store the generated reservation information. However, in a casewhere it is determined that the broadcast time period of the selectedprogram has a possibility of being changed, the controller 111 generatesreservation information on an IP broadcast program that is the same asthe selected program and whose broadcast time period has no possibilityof being changed, and causes the storing unit 108 to store the generatedreservation information.

Note that the controller 111 determines, on the basis of the EIT ofterrestrial broadcasts or the EIT of IP broadcasts, whether or not thebroadcast time period of a program has a possibility of being changed.In addition, the controller 111 generates reservation information on thebasis of the PSI and SI of terrestrial broadcasts or the PSI and SI ofIP broadcasts. The reservation registration process performed by thecontroller 111 as described above will be described below with referenceto a flowchart shown in FIG. 17.

A reservation registration process for making a viewing reservation of aprogram whose broadcast time period has no possibility of being changedwill now be described. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the reservationregistration process. Note that at the start of the reservationregistration process, the controller 111 deletes information on all theprograms from the reservation candidate program list.

In step S801, the controller 111 determines whether or not aninstruction to display an electronic program guide for terrestrialbroadcasts has been received from the remote control receiver 110. In acase where it is determined that a display instruction has been received(YES in step S801), the controller 111 proceeds to step S802. Meanwhile,in a case where it is determined that no display instruction has beenreceived (NO in step S801), the controller 111 returns to step S801.

Since processing of step S802 is similar to the processing of step S601shown in FIG. 14, the description of the processing of step S802 will beomitted.

In step S803, the controller 111 determines whether or not the broadcasttime period of a program subjected to determination has a possibility ofbeing changed. In step S803, the program subjected to determination isthe program selected in step S802. Specifically, the controller 111determines, by using “user_nibble” within the content descriptorcontained in the EIT of the program subjected to determination, whetheror not the broadcast time period of the program subjected todetermination has a possibility of being changed. The EIT of the programsubjected to determination is stored in the storing unit 108.

Here, “user_nibble” represents information indicating that the programhas a possibility of being canceled, the broadcast time period of theprogram has a possibility of being extended, or the like. For example,in a case where the values of the upper four bits and the lower fourbits of “user_nibble” are “0×0 (hexadecimal number)” and “0×0(hexadecimal number)”, “user_nibble” indicates that the program has apossibility of being canceled. In addition, in a case where the valuesof the upper four bits and the lower four bits of “user nibble” are “0×0(hexadecimal number)” and “0×1 (hexadecimal number)”, “user nibble”indicates that the broadcast time period of the program has apossibility of being extended.

In step S803, in a case where at least one of condition (a) andcondition (b) is met, the controller 111 determines that the broadcasttime period of the program subjected to determination has a possibilityof being changed.

Condition (a): A case where the broadcast time period of a programsubjected to determination or the broadcast time period of any one ofprograms scheduled to be broadcasted within a time period from a certainperiod of time before the broadcast start time of the program subjectedto determination to the broadcast start time of the program subjected tobe determination has a possibility of being extended. Specifically, acase where “user_nibble” of the program subjected to determination or“user_nibble” of any one of the programs scheduled to be broadcastedwithin the time period from a certain period of time before thebroadcast start time of the program subjected to be determination to thebroadcast start time of the program subjected to determination indicatesthat the broadcast time period of the program has a possibility of beingextended. Note that although “a certain period of time before thebroadcast start time of a program subjected to determination” is set to“six hours before the broadcast start time of the program subjected todetermination” in this embodiment, the present invention is not limitedto this.

Condition (b): A case where the program subjected to determination has apossibility of being canceled. Specifically, a case where “user_nibble”of the program subjected to determination indicates that the programsubjected to determination has a possibility of being canceled.

In a case where neither condition (a) nor (b) is met, the controller 111determines that the broadcast time period of the program subjected todetermination has no possibility of being changed. In a case where it isdetermined that the broadcast time period of the program subjected todetermination has a possibility of being changed (YES in step S803), thecontroller 111 proceeds to step S804. Meanwhile, in a case where it isdetermined that the broadcast time period of the program subjected todetermination has no possibility of being changed (NO in step S803), thecontroller 111 proceeds to step S811.

In step S804, the controller 111 performs a program search process forsearching for, among IP broadcast programs, the same program as theprogram selected in step S802. The program search process is similar tothe process represented by the flowchart shown in FIG. 10. However, aprogram to be searched for in this program search process is the sameprogram as the program selected in step S802.

Since processing of steps S805 to S806 is similar to the processing ofsteps S205 to S206 shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing ofsteps S805 to S806 will be omitted.

In step S807, the controller 111 determines whether or not the broadcasttime period of the program selected in step S806 has a possibility ofbeing changed. The determination processing of step S807 is similar tothe determination processing of step S803. However, a program subjectedto determination in this determination processing is the programselected in step S806. In a case where it is determined that thebroadcast time period of the program selected in step S806 has nopossibility of being changed (NO in step S807), the controller 111proceeds to step S808. Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined thatthe broadcast time period of the program selected in step S806 has apossibility of being changed (YES in step S807), the controller 111proceeds to step S809.

In step S808, the controller 111 adds, to the reservation candidateprogram list, information on the program for which it is determined instep S807 that the broadcast time period has no possibility of beingchanged. First, the controller 111 acquires, from the same program list,program identification information on the program selected in step S806,and adds the acquired program identification information to thereservation candidate program list.

Then, the controller 111 acquires the broadcast time period of theprogram from the EIT of IP broadcasts stored in the storing unit 108,and sets the acquired broadcast time period in association with theadded program identification information. Then, the controller 111acquires channel identification information on an IP broadcast channelon which the program selected in step S806 is broadcasted from the sameprogram list, and sets the acquired channel identification informationin association with the added program identification information.

Since processing of step S809 is similar to the processing of step S209shown in FIG. 7, the description of the processing of step S809 will beomitted.

In step S810, the controller 111 displays a reservation programselection screen on the basis of the reservation candidate program list,as shown in FIG. 18. Then, in a case where the user has selected aprogram to be reserved on the screen by using the remote control 109(YES in step S810), the controller 111 proceeds to step S811. Meanwhile,in a case where the user has not selected a program to be reserved (NOin step S810), the controller 111 returns to step S810.

In step S811, the controller 111 generates reservation information on anIP broadcast program or a terrestrial broadcast program, and causes thestoring unit 108 to store the generated reservation information. Here,in a case where a program to be reserved has been selected in step S810,the controller 111 generates reservation information on the selectedprogram on the basis of the PSI and SI of IP broadcasts stored in thestoring unit 108.

Meanwhile, in a case where it is determined in step S803 that thebroadcast time period of the program selected in step S802 has nopossibility of being changed, the controller 111 generates reservationinformation on the program on the basis of the PSI and SI of terrestrialbroadcasts stored in the storing unit 108.

In addition, in a case where an IP broadcast program that is the same asthe program selected in step S802 has not been found in step S805, thecontroller 111 also generates reservation information on the programselected in step S802 on the basis of the PSI and SI of terrestrialbroadcasts.

As described above, even in a case where the broadcast time period of aterrestrial broadcast program has a possibility of being changed, thetelevision broadcast receiving apparatus according to this embodiment iscapable of searching for an IP broadcast program that is the same as theterrestrial broadcast program and whose broadcast time period has nopossibility of being changed, and registering a viewing reservation ofthe found IP broadcast program. Thus, with the television broadcastreceiving apparatus according to this embodiment, a user who needs toview a program during the originally scheduled time period because, forexample, the user cannot arrange a viewing time different from theoriginally scheduled time is able to view the program during theoriginally scheduled time period, by making a viewing reservation of aprogram whose broadcast time period has no possibility of being changed.Thus, user friendliness can be improved.

Note that although, in the determination processing of determiningwhether or not the broadcast time period of a program has a possibilityof being changed, “user_nibble” indicating that the program has apossibility of being canceled or the broadcast time period of theprogram has a possibility of being extended is employed in thisembodiment. However, information indicated by “user_nibble” does notnecessarily relate to cancellation or extension. For example, “usernibble” may indicate that the program has a possibility of beinginterrupted.

In addition, although determination of whether or not the broadcast timeperiod of a program has a possibility of being changed is performed onthe basis of the EIT of terrestrial broadcasts or the EIT of IPbroadcasts in this embodiment, the present invention is not limited tothis. For example, information indicating that the broadcast time periodof a program has a possibility of being extended may be acquired from aserver on the Internet operated by a broadcaster so that determinationof whether or not the broadcast time period of the program has apossibility of being changed can be performed on the basis of theacquired information.

As described above, according to an aspect of the present invention,user friendliness can be improved by receiving image data of a programduring the originally scheduled time period.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2008-061286 filed Mar. 11, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

1. A television broadcast receiving apparatus including a receiving unitcapable of receiving image data of programs via a broadcast wave and anetwork, the television broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: anacquisition unit configured to acquire a broadcast time period of aprogram broadcasted via the broadcast wave; a storing control unitconfigured to cause a storing unit to store the broadcast time periodacquired by the acquisition unit; a determining unit configured tocompare, in a case where the acquisition unit acquires the broadcasttime period of the program broadcasted via the broadcast wave, thebroadcast time period with an already-acquired broadcast time period ofthe program that has been acquired and stored in the storing unit, andto determine, in a case where the broadcast time period and thealready-acquired broadcast time period differ from each other, that thebroadcast time period of the program has been changed; a setting unitconfigured to set, as an originally scheduled broadcast time period, anoriginally scheduled broadcast time period of a program for which it isdetermined by the determining unit that the broadcast time period hasbeen changed, in the storing unit; an instructing unit configured toissue an instruction of tuning to a broadcast wave channel; a searchunit configured to search for, in a case where a program whose tuningtime is within the originally scheduled broadcast time period existsamong programs that are scheduled to be broadcasted on the channel tunedin accordance with the instruction from the instructing unit and thathave originally scheduled broadcast time periods, among programsbroadcasted via the network, the same program that is scheduled to bebroadcasted during the originally scheduled broadcast time period of theprogram; and a control unit configured to control, in a case where thesame program has been found by the search unit, the receiving unit toreceive image data of the found program.
 2. A television broadcastreceiving apparatus including a receiving unit capable of receivingimage data of programs via a broadcast wave and a network, thetelevision broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: an acquisition unitconfigured to acquire a broadcast time period of a program broadcastedvia the broadcast wave; a storing control unit configured to cause astoring unit to store the broadcast time period acquired by theacquisition unit; a determining unit configured to compare, in a casewhere the acquisition unit acquires the broadcast time period of theprogram broadcasted via the broadcast wave, the broadcast time periodwith an already-acquired broadcast time period of the program that hasbeen acquired and stored in the storing unit, and to determine, in acase where the broadcast time period and the already-acquired broadcasttime period differ from each other, that the broadcast time period ofthe program has been changed; a setting unit configured to set, as anoriginally scheduled broadcast time period, an originally scheduledbroadcast time period of a program for which it is determined by thedetermining unit that the broadcast time period has been changed, in thestoring unit; a display control unit configured to cause a display unitto display an electronic program guide for programs broadcasted via thebroadcast wave; a selecting unit configured to select a program on theelectronic program guide; a search unit configured to search for, in acase where the program selected by the selecting unit is the program forwhich it is determined by the determining unit that the broadcast timeperiod has been changed, among programs broadcasted via the network, thesame program that is scheduled to be broadcasted during the samebroadcast time period as the originally scheduled broadcast time periodof the program selected by the selecting unit; and a control unitconfigured to control, in a case where the same program has been foundby the search unit, the receiving unit to receive image data of thefound program.
 3. The television broadcast receiving apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein in a case where the program for which it isdetermined by the determining unit that the broadcast time period hasbeen changed exists among the programs displayed in the electronicprogram guide, the display control unit causes the display unit todisplay the electronic program guide, which includes the latest programschedule and the original program schedule before the change of thebroadcast time period, and wherein in a case where the determining unitdetermines that the program selected by the selecting unit is based onthe original program schedule before the change of the broadcast timeperiod and that the broadcast time period of the selected program hasbeen changed, the search unit searches for, among programs broadcastedvia the network, a program that is the same as the program selected bythe selecting unit and that is scheduled to be broadcasted during thesame broadcast time period as the originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod of the selected program stored in the storing unit.
 4. Atelevision broadcast receiving apparatus including a receiving unitcapable of receiving image data of programs via a broadcast wave and anetwork, the television broadcast receiving apparatus comprising: anacquisition unit configured to acquire a broadcast time period of aprogram broadcasted via the broadcast wave; a storing control unitconfigured to cause a storing unit to store the broadcast time periodacquired by the acquisition unit; a determining unit configured tocompare, in a case where the acquisition unit acquires the broadcasttime period of the program broadcasted via the broadcast wave, thebroadcast time period with an already-acquired broadcast time period ofthe program that has been acquired and stored in the storing unit, andto determine, in a case where the broadcast time period and thealready-acquired broadcast time period differ from each other, that thebroadcast time period of the program has been changed; a setting unitconfigured to set, as an originally scheduled broadcast time period, anoriginally scheduled broadcast time period of a program for which it isdetermined by the determining unit that the broadcast time period hasbeen changed, in the storing unit; a search unit configured to searchfor, in a case where a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave forwhich a viewing reservation has been made is the program for which it isdetermined by the determining unit that the broadcast time period hasbeen changed, among programs broadcasted via the network, the sameprogram that is scheduled to be broadcasted during the same broadcasttime period as the originally scheduled broadcast time period of thereserved program stored in the storing unit, before the reserved viewingis performed; and a control unit configured to control, in a case wherethe same program has been found by the search unit, the receiving unitto receive image data of the found program.
 5. A television broadcastreceiving apparatus including a receiving unit capable of receivingimage data of programs via a broadcast wave and a network and programinformation on the programs, the television broadcast receivingapparatus comprising: a determining unit configured to determine whetheror not a broadcast time period of a program broadcasted via thebroadcast wave has a possibility of being changed, on the basis ofprogram information on the program received by the receiving unit; aselecting unit configured to select a program broadcasted via thebroadcast wave; a search unit configured to search for, in a case wherethe determining unit determines that the broadcast time period of theprogram selected by the selecting unit has a possibility of beingchanged, among programs broadcasted via the network, the same programwhose broadcast time period has no possibility of being changed, on thebasis of the program information on the program received by thereceiving unit; a generating unit configured to generate, in a casewhere the same program has been found by the search unit, reservationinformation on a viewing reservation of the found program; a storingunit configured to store the reservation information generated by thegenerating unit; and a control unit configured to control the receivingunit to receive image data of the found program for which the viewingreservation has been made, on the basis of the reservation informationstored in the storing unit.
 6. A control method for controlling atelevision broadcast receiving apparatus including a receiving unitcapable of receiving image data of programs via a broadcast wave and anetwork, the control method comprising: acquiring a broadcast timeperiod of a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave; causing astoring unit to store the acquired broadcast time period; comparing, ina case where the broadcast time period of the program broadcasted viathe broadcast wave is acquired, the broadcast time period with analready-acquired broadcast time period of the program that has beenacquired and stored in the storing unit, and determining, in a casewhere the broadcast time period and the already-acquired broadcast timeperiod differ from each other, that the broadcast time period of theprogram has been changed; setting, as an originally scheduled broadcasttime period, an originally scheduled broadcast time period of a programfor which it is determined that the broadcast time period has beenchanged, in the storing unit; tuning to a broadcast wave channel inaccordance with a user instruction; searching for, in a case where aprogram whose tuning time is within the originally scheduled broadcasttime period exists among programs that are scheduled to be broadcastedon the tuned channel and that have originally scheduled broadcast timeperiods, among programs broadcasted via the network, the same programthat is scheduled to be broadcasted during the originally scheduledbroadcast time period of the program; and controlling, in a case wherethe same program has been found by the searching, the receiving unit toreceive image data of the found program.
 7. A control method forcontrolling a television broadcast receiving apparatus including areceiving unit capable of receiving image data of programs via abroadcast wave and a network, the control method comprising: acquiring abroadcast time period of a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave;causing a storing unit to store the acquired broadcast time period;comparing, in a case where the broadcast time period of the programbroadcasted via the broadcast wave is acquired, the broadcast timeperiod with an already-acquired broadcast time period of the programthat has been acquired and stored in the storing unit, and determining,in a case where the broadcast time period and the already-acquiredbroadcast time period differ from each other, that the broadcast timeperiod of the program has been changed; setting, as an originallyscheduled broadcast time period, an originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod of a program for which it is determined that the broadcast timeperiod has been changed, in the storing unit; causing a display unit todisplay an electronic program guide for programs broadcasted via thebroadcast wave; selecting a program on the electronic program guide inaccordance with a user instruction; searching for, in a case where theselected program is the program for which it is determined that thebroadcast time period has been changed, among programs broadcasted viathe network, the same program that is scheduled to be broadcasted duringthe same broadcast time period as the originally scheduled broadcasttime period of the selected program; and controlling, in a case wherethe same program has been found by the searching, the receiving unit toreceive image data of the found program.
 8. The control method accordingto claim 7, wherein in a case where the program for which it isdetermined that the broadcast time period has been changed exists amongthe programs displayed in the electronic program guide, in the step ofcausing the display unit to display the electronic program guide, theelectronic program guide, which includes the latest program schedule andthe original program schedule before the change of the broadcast timeperiod, is displayed on the display unit, and wherein in a case where itis determined that the selected program is based on the original programschedule before the change of the broadcast time period and that thebroadcast time period of the selected program has been changed, in thestep of searching, a program that is the same as the selected programand that is scheduled to be broadcasted during the same broadcast timeperiod as the originally scheduled broadcast time period of the selectedprogram stored in the storing unit is searched for, among programsbroadcasted via the network.
 9. A control method for controlling atelevision broadcast receiving apparatus including a receiving unitcapable of receiving image data of programs via a broadcast wave and anetwork, the control method comprising: acquiring a broadcast timeperiod of a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave; causing astoring unit to store the acquired broadcast time period; comparing, ina case where the broadcast time period of the program broadcasted viathe broadcast wave is acquired, the broadcast time period with analready-acquired broadcast time period of the program that has beenacquired and stored in the storing unit, and determining, in a casewhere the broadcast time period and the already-acquired broadcast timeperiod differ from each other, that the broadcast time period of theprogram has been changed; setting, as an originally scheduled broadcasttime period, an originally scheduled broadcast time period of a programfor which it is determined that the broadcast time period has beenchanged, in the storing unit; searching for, in a case where a programbroadcasted via the broadcast wave for which a viewing reservation hasbeen made is the program for which it is determined that the broadcasttime period has been changed, among programs broadcasted via thenetwork, the same program that is scheduled to be broadcasted during thesame broadcast time period as the originally scheduled broadcast timeperiod of the reserved program stored in the storing unit, before thereserved viewing is performed; and controlling, in a case where the sameprogram has been extracted by the searching, the receiving unit toreceive image data of the extracted program when the reserved viewing isperformed.
 10. A control method for controlling a television broadcastreceiving apparatus including a receiving unit capable of receivingimage data of programs via a broadcast wave and a network and programinformation on the programs, the control method comprising: determiningwhether or not a broadcast time period of a program broadcasted via thebroadcast wave has a possibility of being changed, on the basis ofprogram information on the program received by the receiving unit;selecting a program broadcasted via the broadcast wave in accordancewith a user instruction; searching for, in a case where it is determinedthat the broadcast time period of the selected program has a possibilityof being changed, among programs broadcasted via the network, the sameprogram whose broadcast time period has no possibility of being changed,on the basis of the program information on the program received by thereceiving unit; generating, in a case where the same program has beenextracted by the searching, reservation information on a viewingreservation of the found program; causing a storing unit to store thegenerated reservation information; and controlling the receiving unit toreceive image data of the extracted program for which the viewingreservation has been made, on the basis of the reservation informationstored in the storing unit.